On Thursday night we had burgulars in the garage and car. They smashed down a fence, opened my husbands car and removed my sons new quad bike from the garage by lifting it over my car right next to the kitchen window.  Our garage door is electric and rattles.    Our older girl who sleeps downstairs (and will bark at the drop of a hat) never made a sound.  When the police came on Friday morning, they asked if she had barked, and we said no.  He then said she might have been drugged by them putting something through the letterobx.  She seemed ok , but has been very clingy since.  Would there be any after-effects or do you think she might just have been scared witless?

I guess she could have been drugged but I think its fairly unlikely. The same thing happened to my hubby when he lived at home. People broke into his shed which is next to the conservatory and stole his motorcross bikes. The dog who sleeps in the conservatory didnt make a peep! Had it been a cat on the other hand it would have been a different story!!

It might just have been that she is used to the sounds that humans make and can differentiate between them and other unusual noises. Therefore, if shes used to the sound it may have been completely normal to her. The clingyness could be as a result of your behaviour following this traumatic event. Thats not a criticism of you - its perfectly natural.

Having said all of this, you know her best so go with your gut. If your unsure, take her to the vets to be looked over but im sure if they drugged her it would have been with some kind of sedative and should therefore work its way out of her system in no time.

I hope you are all feeling better soon  and I hope they catch the bu**ers! xxx

I wouldn't worry that she had been drugged, if she is anything like my girl, someone just being at the door putting something through the letter box at that time of night she would have barked.  If some drugged meat had been thrown into your garden that would make sense, but through the letter box I am sure she would have had a quick bark before she had eaten what had come through.  She is probably clingy because she feels your upset or perhaps you are looking at her differently and worried.

Sorry for the break in, it's an awful feeling, your all safe which is the main thing thank goodness.